Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-08-18
THE GALLONS CHEATED.

Jerry Pagels, the Murderer of Samuel
Aohn In st Louis Takes His Own Life
Rather than Suffer the Disgrace of Hang
ing-His Farewell Letter to His Wife and
Children and One to Jail Guard League.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 9.-Jerry Pagels, who
murder of Samuel Kohn in November, 1885,
was found dead in his cell this morning,
having committed suicide by opening
vein in his arm. When discovered
Pagels was lying upon his left side, up
on the bent arm, the right arm being half
extended, and the fingers of both hands
bent and spread apart as if in muscular re-
sistance to physical pain. Under the cot,
which was pulled out from the cell wall
about six inches, was the iron cell bucket,
into which Pagels' life blood had dropped.
The wound through which the prisoners
life had ebbed away was exactly inside
the elbow. 1t was three inches long, an
inch deep, and amply accounted for the
painful position of Pagels' body and the
expression of suffering upon his face. He
had tied shoestring tightly around the
arm halfway between wrist and elbow,
to prevent the return of blood to the heart.
His pockets were searched by di-
rection of Deputy Coroner Hennessy, and
knife found. 1t is strong iron instru-
inches long. It's blade was we'll worn, but
sharp as sandstone could whet it. After
making a wound of satisfactory dimen-
sions, Pagels had closed the knife and
placed it in his right-hand pocket, and
then settled back to await the death of his
own choosing, which was to save his family
and his memory the ignominy of public
execution, so that it could still be said:
" He died by his own hand"
The following letters were found in the
cell of the murderer. They indicate a
deliberate intention of self-murder, and
give an insight into the mans real charac-
ter, disclosing passions which stimulate to
good or evil purposes would make him a
saint or a cold-blooded murderer. His
theology seems to have been as badly
mixed as his general ideas of right and
wrong.
The first letter is addressed to his wife:
: He must ST. LOUIS JAZZ.
not hang. Aug. 8, 1887.
"Sealed in my prison cell in deep thought of
my once beloved hour:
BELOVED WIFE: DEAREST BELOVED Chill
DREN: This is the last letter shall ever write
upon this earth, and by its means convey to
you all. my best beloved ones, my last thoughts
and my last farewell. Is it last? trust not.
and will take comfort and in the hope of re-
union in another, in a better world.
You all know only too we'll the unfortunate
circumstances which have resulted in my pre-
mature end. will not in my last moments
dwell upon the details of that shooting, which
our courts maintain was done deliberately, pre-
meditatedly and feloniously. Only this much
will say for my Justification. I, my dear wife,
you know your husband, with whom you have
lived honorably and peacefully for a score of
years and you my children, you know your father,
and to you all leave the decision whether am
capable of cold-blooded murder. I repeat now,
in my last hour of life, and shall maintain it in
the presence of our Lord, before whose throne of
Judgment shall soon appear, that the shooting
was not done deliberately nor cold-bloodedly.
Quite to the contrary-wrought up by evil pas
sion which overpowered and mastered my
brains, and held them in a vise-like bondage,
robbing me for the time of my good and col
lected sense the most unfortunate deed was
done, which am held responsible for, and am
about to take my own life. Though I should
above all other things like to leave this world
with no ill-feelings. yet can not but reiterate
that had not a fair and Just trial, nor even
satisfactory jury to pronounce judgment upon
me, one of the jurymen, as you will remember,
not having been citizen of this country
"But my doom is sealed: that which is
called earthly justice has had its victim, and
am to take my own life to satisfy my revenge,
to be sent to meet my Master in Heaven, who
will, doubt not, afford that which I sought for
in vain during the time of my captivity-I mean
mercy.
''Now, my beloved ones. l beseech not to
worry, not to take my doom too hard, but
rather succumb to the Inevitable.
''Keep up your spirits and face it all with
strength and as good grace as possible. He
who is father to widows and orphans. He
who feeds the birds in the air. He who says
come to me all We who are laden with sorrow
and grief. He will not forsake my poor wife,
my true faithful and brave helpmate of twenty
years and my fatherless children. To him
pray with my last breath to be your shield and
your protector.
'Carry your troubles ever to God and keep
of the people, for there is but lit
tie true christianity found nowadays. I have
found out that to my sorrow more than once
during the long duration of my troubles.
my beloved ones I have almost done with
both this letter and my earthly career, and
think the last me mcnto can offer you all is to
commit to your hearth few words OF the
Lords prayer. They are:
"sAnd lead us not into temptation
''If you will say these with all your heart and
soul, and always keep their meaning before
you, then need not fear for your future lives.
Now, my dear, faithful wife and beloved
children, all I could say to you further 1 can
sum up in very few words God bless you
ALL and have you in His holy keeping, forever
and forever. Amen.
Farewell, farewell. From your true father
'FREDERICK GIRARD PAGELs
'"Time is drawing to q close. My hours are
short on earth, and soon will stand before a
more merciful judge than Judge Normile. H.
gave me no earthly show. I did not have the
money.
my dear wife and darling children. do not
yrieve: bear up under this terrible ordeal and
think kindly of your unfortunate father. Be
good, which already know you are for want
TO meet YOU all on the shores of time, where
trouble comes not and prisons and farce trials
are no more Farewell. all. May Heaven bless,
care and protect you in an hour of sad msfort.
lne. for God loveth thee.
Amen
With the letter to his family was one to
Jail Guard League:
ST. LOUIS JAIL, July s, 1887.
FRIEND AL. LEE: Though writing to you
with the intention of expressing the grateful
ness that your kind and generous treatment
aas awakened. feel how utterly incapable
am, even in the smallest degree, to perform
hat which would be but a pleasure, therefore
.egret the more that it may never be in my
power to evince my gratitude toward you.
please be kind enough and have all Of my
remains taken to my wife have seven dol
ars which you will find in the box that have
nv papers in. My brother, in-law will call and
rou can give him every thing belonging to me.
ssPlease do not forget to give Jacob Houpt
ind his brother my kindest thanks, and also
Frank Knapp, 303 South Second.
with best wishes for your health and future
am, respectfully,
''F. GIRARD PAGELS."
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Dedication of a Monument.